Significant upgrades to the A38 corridor between Highbridge and Bristol Airport are slated to begin construction as early as June 2026, according to recent council reports. Somerset Council and North Somerset Council have collaborated to secure over £26 million in funding from the Department for Transport (DfT) for ten targeted schemes aimed at reducing congestion, improving journey times, and enabling regional development.
These improvements cover the stretch from the Edithmead roundabout near M5 junction 22 to Bristol Airport. After initial proposals in June 2021, the government confirmed funding shortly after the 2023 spending review. Final business cases are currently being prepared jointly by both councils for Treasury approval, a critical step to unlock the grant.
The ten enhancement schemes are split between the councils: four within Somerset and six in North Somerset.
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Somerset’s upgrades include:
- Edithmead roundabout transformation into a signalized ‘throughabout’ for smoother transit between the M5 and the northbound A38.
- Safety improvements and traffic calming at Rooks Bridge village.
- Redesign of the Cross junction into a staggered layout to enhance road safety, involving land acquisition.
- Upgrading the Strawberry Line crossing at Shute Shelve, potentially with a new footbridge to replace the current staggered crossing.
Additional improvements will focus on enhancing bus stops, pedestrian, and cycling infrastructure along the route.
North Somerset’s projects feature:
- Footway widening on Bristol Road between A371 and Hillyfields in Sidcot.
- Segregated cycle track creation in Langford from B3133 Langford Road to A368 Churchill Gate.
- A shared use path along the route between the Airport Terminal and Silver Zone roundabouts, including new bus lanes and turning lanes.
- Improved signalized crossings and paths at Lulsgate Bottom.
- Widened shared paths near Barrow Gurney and a redesigned Barrow Street junction with new bus stop facilities.
At a North Somerset Council meeting on September 16, the councils outlined plans to submit the final business case to the DfT by December 2025, with decisions expected by March 2026. Following approval, the schemes would be incorporated into capital programs by May 2026, enabling construction to start the following month, aiming for completion by summer 2027.
Funding of nearly £31 million covers these improvements, with approximately £24.7 million from the DfT, supplemented by contributions from housing developments and council resources. Bristol Airport is also funding roadworks related to its passenger expansion plans.
While North Somerset Council has appointed Octavius for designing and building its projects, Somerset Council may extend its recent Dunball roundabout contractor’s contract to cover key upgrades like Edithmead, streamlining procurement and reducing costs.
Both councils emphasize that schedules depend upon governmental approval of the final business cases, but they remain committed to delivering these vital infrastructure improvements to support the region’s growth and connectivity.